Harvest
Program Area
Providing support for Georgia producers to equip them with the necessary tools to harvest opportunities for successful careers in agriculture and addressing ongoing challenge for active farmers.
Program Overview
HARVEST is GFA’s commitment to Georgia’s farmers — supporting their wellbeing, rebuilding after disasters, and creating systems that sustain agriculture for the long haul.
Farming is more than a job — it’s a way of life, filled with pressure, pride, and risk. HARVEST meets farmers where they are, providing resources to address mental health, financial relief in times of crisis, and tools to build resilience across rural communities.
Because when we care for our farmers, we care for the future of Georgia agriculture.
Farmer Mental Health Support
Helping farmers find strength beyond the field
We provide trusted resources, mental health trainings, and leadership development to help farmers, spouses, and ag professionals recognize stress, seek help, and support one another.
In partnership with the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Mercer University’s Rural Health Sciences Ph.D. program, we conducted a statewide study on farmer mental health. The results were alarming: more than 60% of first-generation farmers reported suicidal thoughts in the past year, with nearly 10% thinking about it daily.
These findings are shaping our Farmer Resource Guide, county mini-grants, and peer trainings — ensuring every tool we offer responds to the real needs of Georgia’s farm community.
Disaster Relief & Recovery
Delivering direct support when disaster strikes
When natural disasters devastate Georgia’s farms, HARVEST activates quickly to provide relief. After Hurricane Helene caused billions in agricultural damage, we led the Weathered But Strong campaign — raising and distributing over $1.7 million in just three months to help nearly 1,000 farmers across 69 counties begin to recover.
Relief checks went directly to those hardest hit, offering fast, compassionate support when federal aid was delayed. These efforts aren’t just financial — they’re a reminder to farmers that they are not alone, even in their darkest moments.
By building trusted partnerships and efficient systems, we stand ready to respond when Georgia’s farmers need us most.
Statewide Partnerships for Long-Term Impact
Working together to build a resilient ag community
We collaborate with a powerful network — including the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance (GAWA) — to expand access to mental health resources, education, and support across Georgia’s agricultural community.
From co-developing farmer surveys and co-hosting the annual Farm Stress Summit, to launching local initiatives and sharing training tools on gafarmstress.org, these partnerships help ensure no farmer has to face stress alone.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, GFA worked alongside 40+ agricultural partners to lead the Weathered But Strong relief campaign — raising and distributing more than $1.7 million in emergency aid to nearly 1,000 farmers. This collaborative response is a powerful example of what’s possible when Georgia’s ag community comes together.
Why It Matters
Farmers are the backbone of Georgia — but even the strongest shoulders need support. Long hours, isolation, financial stress, and the weight of generational land can take a real toll.
HARVEST exists to say: You’re not alone. Whether it’s a check after a storm or a conversation that saves a life, we are here for Georgia’s farmers — not just in crisis, but every season.
